When you think mountain town, you might be forgiven if you conjure up images of lonely cabins, fires for warmth, hunting for survival, and even outhouses. The truth is, though, that mountain towns are a far cry from this. In fact, many mountain towns have decided that while they want to maintain the quaint nature of their small size & low population, they also welcome tourism. This, by default, means they offer so much more than you could ever imagine. Mountain towns, it seems, may be the next big thing in “getting away” for the travel industry. The issue you face with such a new destination is knowing what to take with you on your trip. You figure that if you know you’re going to someplace tropical, thing sandals, bathing suits, and some cute sunglasses are perfect. If you’re heading somewhere “jungly”, you want to wear clothing that breathes well & can work with a high humidity. But what do you pack for a mountain town? Honestly, it’s not as hard as you would think. The trick, though, is thinking about what not to take on a mountain town getaway. Here are five things you should cross off your mountain town packing list: Too Many Electronics — With our phones doubling as our cameras, it’s hard to say you should leave your phone behind. However, keep your use limited. Leave unnecessary electronics at home such as e-readers and game consoles. Uncomfortable Shoes — Chances are you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking around, so you want to wear shoes that fit well and provide ample support for your feet. You might have a pair of really cute shoes, but can they handle a lot of walking? Also, here’s something to think about: hiking boots for hiking! Too Much Gear — Many mountain towns have rental areas for winter gear such as skis and snowboards. Why go through the trouble of lugging this stuff around when you could just rent? The good news is that many of these rental locations are within a short distance of your ski lodge and/or hotel. Inordinate Expectations — One way or another, if you set your expectations really high, there’s a chance your getaway won’t live up to them. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t reach for the stars, but keep things simple & have fun. Make a checklist of things you’d like to try & see what you can accomplish. The possibilities are endless, which means a little flexibility on your part goes a long way. Poor Attitude — If all you want to do is sulk because you’re just not feeling this whole ‘mountain’ thing, just stop. As with anything in life, a poor attitude accomplishes nothing. Mountain towns are welcoming places that offer more outdoor adventure than you thought possible, as well as fine dining, unique retail therapy (a.k.a killer shopping), and events throughout the year you can’t find anywhere else on the planet. While the notion of a mountain town may bring to mind images of an era long gone, today’s mountain getaways actually provide a tremendous amount of modern amenities and adventures all while still maintaining their “chill” vibe. Plan to pack things you’ll need based on activities you’ll encounter & pack for weather (think layers), but other than that, try to keep things simple. Always remember that you’re trying to get away, and this means actively trying to disconnect both literally & figuratively. Click here for info on a mountain town like Red River, New Mexico and premier lodging at Lifts West.
Related Articles -
Mountain town, mountain retreat, Angel Fire, Taos, Red River, New Mexico, Rockies, outdoors, getaway, trip, travel tips, tourism, destinations, family,
|